Sunday, 10 March 2013

On a Pasture based Dairy Farm The Sky is Always Blue

The sky is always blue! This is NOT a reference to the lack
of rain in Australia & New Zealand. The dairy industry is a place of
optimism and opportunities. In every crisis there is both danger and
opportunities. The key is to see the opportunity! Believe me the sky is always
blue! Pasture based dairy farming is a place of optimism!

Every time I fly the sky is always blue! From the ground it
may not seem to be. It’s easy to get pessimistic. Even as the aircraft takes
off you are not absolutely sure. But it is always very reassuring to experience
that joy of breaking through the clouds. Dark as the clouds might seem. The sky
is always blue! The sky is always blue
is a glass half full attitude!

The Chinese symbol for crisis cleverly includes both danger
and opportunity. Don’t dismiss the danger and the threats but look for the
upside risk, the opportunities to learn, to make decisive moves and to benefit
from a crisis.

The world seems to be having these extreme weather events.
Remember the 2012 drought in the USA & Canada. 2012 delivered endless rain
and mud in the UK, making pasture management a nightmare. The hot dry summer of
2013 in NZ & Australia is now creating desperate feed shortages on most
dairy farms. Farmers have little control over these events but there impact can
be massive.

There is a huge risk that these events can be very costly.
Beware of over spending on feed. Rather look to minimise the losses. Few people
make money during dry periods but many lose money. Think ahead. What are you
going to do when it does rain? How can you recover quickly with no carry over
costs e.g. under feeding calves so that heifers are under target weights…..these
carry over costs can impact 2-3 seasons ahead.

These extreme events cause much farmer stress. Farming men
often don’t deal with stress very well. Men tend to retreat into their “man
caves”. They go quiet and are reluctant to talk out their concerns. Whereas
women tend to choose a much healthier path & confide in friends about what’s
worrying them. Women don’t really understand “man caves”.

Every Dairy Farm has a “Magic Spot”. Farmers are so lucky to
have “Magic Spots” on their farms. Somewhere that is truly magical. Somewhere
that is quiet and you can reflect on how lucky you really are to be a dairy
farmer. Dairy Farmers need to Spend Time at the “Magic Spot” on their Farm. The
farm’s “Magic Spot” is a lovely place to be with your family. “Magic Spots” on
farms are not “Man Caves” Don’t get confused!

Farming is an isolated profession. Farming can sap your
every energy. However farming should never be your whole world. Men can be
farmers but they are also fathers, sons, husbands, friends, mates, lovers,
laughers, jokesters and team players. If a drought or floods seriously affect
your farm you don’t want it bowling over your whole world. By saying that…… in
no way am I underestimating the damaging impact of dryness or flooding can have
on a farm business.

Ask for help! Asking for help is a manly thing not a sign of weakness. Recognise if your man needs help.

It’s time to go to the beach. It’s time to go swimming with
your children. It’s time or organise a game of beach volleyball with your
Discussion Group. It’s time to watch the Kiwis give England a hiding in the
Cricket Test Series. It’s time to take a break!

About Me

Tom Phillips proudly a Kiwi. I'm based at the New Centre of Excellence in Farm Business Management, Massey University, New Zealand.The Centre is a joint project of both Massey & Lincoln Universities. International Low Cost Pasture based Dairy Industry Consultant has worked in New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Ireland & France.Expert in grazing management & dairy farm business management,Onfarm Discussion Group facilitation & training.
I am a strong advocate for pasture based dairy farming partly because it is environmentally & animal friendly with a low carbon footprint but also it creates a profitable strong business which is family friendly.